Similar to Veneers, bonding is the cementing of a compound over your existing tooth. The difference between the two is Veneers are created at a dental factory while bonding is more like a paddy or a paste that is applied directly to your tooth and then custom shaped by your dentist.

Having a tooth bonded is an easy procedure. Anesthesia is not required (unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth). Your dentist will first roughen the surface of your tooth and then apply a conditioning compound. Next, he or she will spread the resin directly onto your tooth and apply an ultraviolet light or laser to harden the material. After the bonding material has hardened, your dentist will then trim it, shape it, and polish it to make it match the sheen of a tooth surface.

Bonding is the easiest form of cosmetic dentistry available for several reasons. First, only a minimal amount of your original tooth will removed to apply the bonding material. By comparison, Veneers require much more of your tooth to be removed. The second reason is it takes only 30 to 45 minutes per tooth and everything can be performed at your dentist's office.

The drawback to bonding is the material is not as strong as veneers; it can chip and break. Also, the bonding compound is not nearly as resistant to staining as crowns or veneers.